Month: June 2015

I’m a lover of Sundays. That smell of freshly brewed coffee, the softness of your blankets, that view out to the calm sea. I remember how my parents used to convince me to play outside when I was younger. I, however, couldn’t resist finishing that certain suspenseful book. What they didn’t realise: I have always loved being outside. I just didn’t like sharing it too much. I find so much peace in simply standing at the shore in front of my apartment and watching the waves flowing. Maybe that is one reason why I live on a tiny island right now. Now and then, however, Amsterdam’s mainland brings me out of my shell and I suppose it’s all about the isles you create every day yourself anyway. On Sundays I tend to choose routine over variation and with pancakes, blackberries and coffee on my table that’s quite okay. Sometimes the view from my apartment feels better than any hotel room I have ever had. Well, if it were some degrees warmer at least… That sooting …

Moving to Amsterdam at the beginning of this year has had me explore some lovely parts of the Netherlands. And even though I’m thirsting for those big travels awaiting me at the end of July, I enjoy discovering my current adopted country so much as well. After going to Utrecht last week, it was – after so many recommendations and romanticization – time to go to see Haarlem, a late medieval city some 15 minutes away from busy Amsterdam. It’s funny that cities like Utrecht or Haarlem are only slightly smaller than Amsterdam. Still they exude this cozy small town charm. Little colourful town houses, lovely boutiques, idyllic landscapes and unruffled people. Speaking of boutiques: Ironically it has been in Utrecht and now Haarlem that I stumbled upon the cutest shops. I’m sure they’re out there in Amsterdam as well, but imagine hundreds of Amsterdamers plus two hundred tourists squashing in front of one slender mirror. There you go. kloffie in Haarlem turned out to be a true gem storing pieces by Minimum, Nümph and others. I …

The bigger, the better. That’s my name of the game when it comes to cities at least. Amsterdam, however, is so full of tourists most of the time that I quite often feel the need to take a short getaway. This weekend that mini-break led me to Utrecht. And I can’t put it differently: I fell deeply in love. My starting point was, of course, a coffee spot. And it was a good one! Entering The Village Coffee & Music, I instantly felt thrown back to my summer in Brooklyn two years ago. Unplastered brick walls, big ventilators and incredibly tasty cookies: I can’t imagine a café more perfect than this. After one day now I’m seriously considering driving all the way from Amsterdam to Utrecht just to sit down in this place again. Right next to The Village Coffee & Music a cute little shop called PUHA sells beautiful and unique dresses, leather bags, accessories and adorable jewellry. Prices are a little higher here, but the quality is most probably worth it. Plus, this boutique leaves you …